The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Niger State has destroyed 6, 000kg of illicit drugs seized from 185 suspects arrested in the state between 2006 and 2007. 

Mr Haruna Kwetishe, the state commander of NDLEA disclosed this during the public destruction of seized hard drugs in Minna, the state capital, last week. 

He said: "I present before you a total of 6,000kg of illicit drugs seized from 185 suspects arrested in Niger State between 2006 and 2007 for destruction."   He said that from January to June 2008, the command intercepted a total of 78 drug suspects and seized 4,587kg of illicit drugs. 

Kwetishe said that within the same period, 42 drug suspects were convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by the Federal High Court in Minna. 

He said that 45 drug addicts were rehabilitated and were released to their families.  In his remarks, Mr Ahmadu Giade, the chief executive of NDLEA described the destruction of the illicit drugs as "a complete victory for humanity."

He said that it was also a demonstration of the superiority of the state over organised crime and criminality. 

He warned drug barons who still believe that "it is business as usual", to desist from such acts, as "the agency is in absolute control of its statutory responsibilities".  He commended the Niger State Government and security agencies in the state for their support to NDLEA in waging a successful war against illicit drugs. 

Responding, the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said "consuming banned drugs or substances is a war that must be fought and won by all Nigerians to better our society".  He said that one of the ways of fighting drug abuse and crime was "to go back to the old norms and values of being your brother’s keeper. 

"The majority of the people must unite against crime, must unite against drug addiction and also unite to get rid of the bad elements in our neighbourhoods". 

The governor assured the NDLEA of government’s preparedness in assisting the agency in waging the war against illicit drugs.

The governor used the occasion to donate two vehicles and three tricycles to the NDLEA.